You’ve applied for the DSF Scholarship – What happens next?
Review the next steps below. Don’t procrastinate! Some of these steps take time.
Step 1
By July 15, Turn In All Financial Aid Documents and Forms
You must complete your financial aid file by July 15 to qualify for the DSF Scholarship. A complete file includes your financial aid application (usually FAFSA or CASFA) plus any other items your college’s financial aid office asks you to submit. Having trouble with financial aid? Contact DSF to explain what’s going on so we can help.
You do NOT need to submit proof of your completed FAFSA or CASFA to DSF. Your college will report your financial aid status to DSF in the fall.
Step 2
By July 15, Check Your College Choice
Check the Dashboard of your DSF Student Portal account to make sure your college choice is correct. You can only receive the DSF Scholarship at the DSF college partner you have selected as of July 15.
Step 3
Submit Other DSF Forms, If Needed
- If you decide to wait until next year to begin college, submit the Application Withdrawal Form in the Forms section of the DSF Student Portal by July 15.
- If you’ll enroll less than full-time (fewer than 12 credits) in the fall term for one of DSF’s acceptable reasons, submit a Part-Time Enrollment Form in the Forms section of the DSF Student Portal by the first day of fall classes.
Summer
DSF Gathers Information from Denver Public Schools
During the summer, Denver Public Schools will report to DSF whether you received your diploma and what your final cumulative GPA was. To qualify for DSF, you must graduate with at least a 2.0 GPA and meet DSF’s GPA requirement for your college.
August/September
Enroll Full Time
If you’re in an associate’s or bachelor’s program, you must enroll in 12 or more credit hours by your college’s last day to add or drop classes. If you’re in a certificate program, you must enroll in 6 or more credits.
DSF Processes Scholarship Awards
In August or September, the college you selected in the DSF Student Portal will report your financial aid and enrollment information to DSF. DSF will send your award within two weeks after confirming that you:
- Are enrolled full-time
- Completed your financial aid file by July 15
- Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 16,640 or less, if you are a new DSF Scholar
- Are classified as a Colorado resident
- Are not on a financial aid suspension
Have questions or concerns? DSF wants to help! Click “Contact DSF” in the DSF Student Portal or call 303.640.6564.
DSF Scholars who meet all requirements receive $3,600 per school year at a 4-year college or university or $1,700 per year at a community or technical college. Those amounts get divided equally between academic terms. Awards are usually sent to colleges by the end of the first month of the term. For example, a DSF Scholar who attends a 4-year university with two semesters and meets all requirements will receive a fall award of $1,800 in August or September. In January or February, they’ll receive a spring award of $1,800.
DSF will email you when your award has been sent to your college. You can also view your awards in the Awards tab of the DSF Student Portal.
Have questions about your award? Check out our FAQs.
Congratulations!
After You Become A DSF Scholar
Congratulations on becoming a DSF Scholar! Maintain your scholarship by doing the following:
- Complete your DSF Student Success Requirements each term
- Enroll full-time each term
- Complete your classes and keep your grades up to stay in good standing at your college
- Renew your scholarship each year – Click below to learn how!
- Pay attention to messages from DSF
- Keep your contact information updated in your DSF Student Portal account settings
Frequently Asked Questions
When will my DSF Scholarship payment be sent to my college?
DSF will process your award within two weeks after it receives your enrollment and financial aid information from your college in August or September. If you’re worried that your scholarship won’t be awarded before tuition or other expenses are due, we encourage you to discuss your options with the financial aid office, including setting up a payment plan or having late fees waived.
You will receive an automated email from DSF when your scholarship award has been sent to your college. You can also view your current and past DSF awards in the Awards tab of the DSF Student Portal.
How will I get my scholarship?
If you qualify for a scholarship award, the money is sent directly to your college.
The award is first applied to the amount due on your college account (for tuition, fees, etc.). If there is an amount remaining after the scholarship is applied to your account or if you did not have an outstanding balance, your college will refund the balance to you.
Why is the DSF Scholarship not appearing on my financial aid award letter?
The DSF Scholarship may not appear on your award letter until we have verified that you met all requirements and have sent your scholarship award to your college.
What happens to my scholarship if I add or drop classes?
You should notify both DSF and your college’s financial aid office if your enrollment level changes. If your enrollment level changes after DSF already sent a scholarship payment for you, the award amount may be adjusted:
- If your enrollment level increases, DSF may make an additional scholarship payment, depending on your enrollment level.
- If your enrollment level decreases or you completely withdraw from classes, your college’s financial aid office may return your scholarship funds to DSF in accordance with your college’s institutional award and refund policy. You may be required to repay these funds to the college. Contact your college’s financial aid office if you have questions about its refund policy.
If I transfer to a different DSF College Partner, will my DSF Scholarship transfer to my new college?
If you transfer between school years, simply select your new college in your DSF Scholarship renewal application for the upcoming school year. Learn more about renewing your scholarship.
If you transfer in the middle of the school year, you must meet DSF’s requirements for a mid-year transfer and get DSF’s approval to transfer your scholarship to your new college. Learn more about transferring mid-year.
